eBay Top Rated Seller Benefits: The 10% Fee Discount Explained
Published 4 min read
In this guide
Your seller performance level has a direct effect on what you pay eBay. Top Rated Sellers get 10% off the final value fee on qualifying listings, while sellers rated Below Standard pay an extra charge on every sale. The gap between the two is bigger than most sellers realise.
Figures use US rates from our calculator, last checked on September 25, 2026. The discount also applies in the UK and Canada, but not in Australia.
The three seller levels
eBay evaluates sellers against its seller performance standards and places each account in one of three levels:
- Top Rated: the highest level, for sellers with excellent service and enough sales history.
- Above Standard: the level most sellers are at. Normal fees apply.
- Below Standard: for accounts that don't meet eBay's minimum standards. An extra fee applies, and listings may get less visibility.
eBay looks at measures such as your transaction defect rate, late shipment rate and cases closed without seller resolution, along with how long you've been selling and your sales volume. The exact thresholds are set by eBay and can change, so check your seller dashboard in Seller Hub and eBay's seller performance standards page for the current requirements.
Top Rated Seller vs Top Rated Plus
This is the part people often miss: being a Top Rated Seller doesn't discount every listing automatically. The 10% discount applies to listings that qualify for the Top Rated Plus badge. Listings typically qualify when they offer:
- fast handling (same or next business day), and
- a free returns policy of at least 30 days.
Check eBay's current Top Rated Plus requirements, and review your listings' handling time and return policy so your best sellers qualify.
What the Top Rated Plus discount is worth
The discount takes 10% off the final value fee. The per-order fee doesn't change.
| Sale | Standard fees | With Top Rated Plus | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100, most categories | $14.00 | $12.64 | $1.36 |
| $100, most categories, Basic Store | $13.10 | $11.83 | $1.27 |
| $60 + $8 shipping + $4.76 tax | $10.30 | $9.31 | $0.99 |
| $10,000, most categories | $1,079.15 | $971.27 | $107.88 |
For most categories, the discount lowers the effective rate from 13.6% to 12.24%. With a Basic Store it's 11.43%. That's about 1.36% of your sales, which adds up to $136 on every $10,000 of everyday sales.
What Below Standard costs you
If your account falls to Below Standard, eBay adds 6% of the total amount of the sale to your fees (and more if you stay there for several months). On a $100 sale in most categories, total fees go from $14.00 to $20.00.
Here is the difference for a seller with 100 orders a month at $50 each (most categories, no Store):
| Seller level | Fees per order | Fees per month |
|---|---|---|
| Top Rated (Top Rated Plus listings) | $6.52 | $652 |
| Above Standard | $7.20 | $720 |
| Below Standard | $10.20 | $1,020 |
Dropping from Top Rated to Below Standard would cost this seller $368 a month in extra fees alone, before any effect on visibility and sales.
How to reach and keep Top Rated status
- Ship on time, every time. Set a handling time you can always meet, and upload tracking promptly.
- Describe items accurately. Most "not as described" returns come from missing flaws, unclear photos or wrong item specifics.
- Resolve problems before they become cases. Answer buyer messages quickly and offer a solution before the buyer opens a request with eBay.
- Avoid seller-cancelled orders. Keep your stock levels accurate, especially if you sell on more than one platform.
- Check your dashboard weekly. Metrics are measured over rolling periods, so problems can build up quietly.
- Appeal defects that weren't your fault. Some defects, like those caused by carrier delays or extreme weather, can be removed through eBay's processes.
Already Below Standard?
Getting back is possible, but it takes time because eBay measures performance over a rolling evaluation period. Focus first on stopping new defects, then on removing the ones that qualify for removal. Our Defect & Performance Consulting service helps sellers appeal defects and get back above standard, and our Feedback Management service handles unfair negative feedback through eBay's official processes. Both start with a free consultation.
For more on the surcharge itself, see the eBay Below Standard fee explained.
Outside the US
- UK: business sellers get 10% off the final value fee as Top Rated. On a £100 sale in a 12.9% category, the final value fee (with VAT) drops from £15.48 to £13.93. See the UK calculator.
- Canada: the same 10% discount applies. A C$100 sale's fees drop from C$14.00 to C$12.64.
- Australia: there's no Top Rated fee discount, but the Below Standard surcharge still applies.
See the difference on your own sales
Tick the Top Rated Seller box in the US eBay fee calculator to see your saving on any sale. Combine it with an eBay Store for the lowest possible final value fee, and read our final value fees guide for how the discount is applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discount do eBay Top Rated Sellers get?
Top Rated Sellers get 10% off the final value fee on listings that qualify for Top Rated Plus. In most US categories that lowers the rate from 13.6% to 12.24%.
Does the Top Rated discount apply to the per-order fee?
No. The discount applies to the final value fee only. The $0.40 per-order fee stays the same.
How much extra do Below Standard sellers pay?
Below Standard sellers pay an extra 6% of the total amount of the sale, and more if they stay Below Standard for several months. On a $100 sale that's $6.00 extra.
Is there a Top Rated discount in Australia?
No. The 10% discount applies in the US, UK and Canada, but eBay Australia doesn't offer it.
What does a listing need for Top Rated Plus?
Listings typically need fast handling (same or next business day) and free returns of at least 30 days, from a seller with Top Rated status. Check eBay's current requirements in the Help Center.